The name Ainsley comes from a Scottish surname, which is derived from a place name - either Annesley in Nottinghamshire or Ansley in Warwickshire.
The place name Annesley is derived from the Old English words "Ān" - the Old English name derived from the word "ān" meaning "one, only", and "lēah" - "wood".
The place name Ansley is derived from the Old English words "ānsetl" - "hermitage" and "lēah" - "wood".
Famous bearers
Bearers include Ainsley Gotto (born 1946), an Australian female entrepreneur;
Ainsley Harriott (born 1957), an English male celebrity chef;
Ainsley Waugh (born 1981), a Jamaican male sprinter.
